Sen. Laura Murphy

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2023, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is (i) $75,000 for qualified property in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and (ii) $65,000 for qualified property located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants. Provides that, for taxable years 2024 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for all qualified property. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the maximum household income under the Act is $75,000 for tax years 2023 and thereafter. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $3,100,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for costs associated with the Crop Insurance Rebate Initiative to provide incentives for at least 500,000 acres of eligible land. Effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill nominates Tamakia Edwards to serve as a member of the Capital Development Board, a state agency responsible for overseeing major infrastructure and development projects. The appointment, which would have been effective from November 9, 2023, to January 19, 2026, was sponsored by Senator John F. Curran and included provisions for the nominee to receive only expense reimbursements. Although the bill was formally introduced, it was later withdrawn by the Governor's office on May 14, 2024, meaning the appointment did not proceed. Consequently, the bill does not result in any new policy changes or alter the composition of the board.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision requiring the Department on Aging to require an annual audit from all personal assistant and home care aide vendors contracting with the Department, provides that the annual audit shall assure that each audited vendor's procedures are in compliance with the Department's financial reporting guidelines requiring an 80% or higher employee wage and benefits cost split and an administrative cost split of no more than 20% (rather than an administrative and employee wage and benefits cost split as defined in administrative rules). Provides that subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2025, rates for homemaker services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. Provides that rates in subsequent State fiscal years shall be no lower than $32.75 upon federal approval. Requires providers of in-home services to be required to certify to the Department that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and payment for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2025, the Department shall pay a rate add-on under the Community Care Program to those in-home service provider agencies that attest and document their direct service workers attend paid, quarterly, in-person training sessions to fulfill the in-service training requirements. Provides that the add-on shall be 1% of the homemaker services rate. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the defendant committed the offense in or on the grounds of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients and the offense was a crime of violence committed against a licensed health care professional or an employee of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients, this factor shall be accorded weight in favor of imposing a term of imprisonment or may be considered by the court as a reason to impose a more severe sentence.

Amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Provides that the term "Student Permanent Record" may include reports of psychological evaluations, including information on intelligence and personality, academic information obtained through test administration, observation, or interviews, elementary and secondary achievement-level test results, special education records, and records associated with a plan developed under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. With respect to the term "Student Permanent Record", removes intelligence test scores, aptitude test scores, psychological and personality test results, teacher evaluations, and other information of clear relevance to the education of a student from the information allowed to be included. Provides that if consent is provided by a student or the student's parent or guardian, then a copy of the student's school student records shall be provided at no cost to the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, an independent service coordination agency, or Equip for Equality to establish access to adult disability services and related benefits.

Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act to restore protections for wetlands and small streams that were formerly protected from pollution and destruction by the Clean Water Act. Includes provisions concerning: exemptions; wetlands delineation, classification, notification, permits and veto; general permits; appeal of final decisions made by the Department of Natural Resources and judicial review; investigation and enforcement; and county authority. Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Advisory Committee and establishes duties and rules for the Committee. Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Fund. Provides for permit review fees. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Effective immediately.

Nominates Melineh Kano as Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that by June 30, 2026 the Department of Human Services shall select from the Prioritization of the Urgency of Need of Services (PUNS) database no fewer than 3,600 persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to receive relevant State services and supports. Provides that the Department shall establish and maintain the Illinois Children and Adult Home and Community-Based Services Pilot Program to expand and increase community-based services and housing options for adults and children with disabilities who are eligible for services under the Department's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Provides that the Department, in consultation with all relevant State agencies, shall annually report to the General Assembly on the progress made in implementing these provisions. Provides that the Department shall submit its first report no later than May 31, 2027 and every May 31 thereafter. Provides that by June 30, 2027, every individual selected from the PUNS list shall qualify for and receive housing as provided in these provisions, unless he or she chooses in-home services. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and any other interested State agencies, shall submit a report to the General Assembly on May 31, 2026, and each May 31 thereafter, that details the Department's progress in implementing the program. Provides that the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, shall apply for any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement these provisions. Provides that implementation of this program shall be contingent upon the receipt of all necessary federal approvals.